Food Custom: Mustard On Pretzels

Friday, September 20, 2013

I think it's so interesting how people from different parts of the globe have various ways of eating things.

Take for instance…mustard on pretzels.

I was born in Philadelphia (the pretzel capital of the U.S.), where dipping a soft pretzel into mustard or squirting some on top is a daily occurrence. You will often see people walking down the street, munching on a pretzel with a big glob of mustard dripping from their chin.

*Please note: Philadelphia is all about the CARBS (bread, pasta, hoagies, and steak sandwiches)

However, when my family moved to Florida in 1973, I recall a time when I purchased a pretzel somewhere, and when I asked for mustard they said, "Mustard on a pretzel? How strange!"

I was actually shocked that they were shocked.

They reacted as though I had suggested something so freakishly bizarre like, putting sardines on top of ice cream.

But in all fairness, I remember living in Amsterdam, Holland for a summer and noticed how they ate French fries dipped in mayonnaise. OMG…when I first saw that I wanted to GAG because the only time I would eat mayonnaise was in a club sandwich – I was never a big mayo fan. Yet after coaxing myself into trying it, I fell in love with the custom. So much so that when I came back to the States, I started eating my French fries that way. And not only dipping them in mayonnaise, but tartar sauce as well.

Yeah, I know, tartar sauce with French fries?!? Hey, don't knock it until you've tried it. It's so yummy! Especially if the fries are real crispy.

Anyhoo...

A few weeks ago, I visited my favorite pretzel establishment, Philly Pretzel Factory, and purchased some Rivets, which are little bite-size pretzel nuggets. They're so cute, you just want to kiss them before eating them. They are the perfect size for dipping into a cup of mustard. And if you’re lucky, you will catch them just as they come out of the oven while they're still warm, which is what happened to me that day.

Here, take a look...

(If you have a moment, please visit their website because it's so cleverly designed, you can play around with all the buttons and make things happen in the oven)

Aren’t they cuter than hell? And I love the little plastic container they came in to keep them cozy and warm.

I sat there in a state of nirvana, as I dipped those warm little Rivets into yellow mustard and popped them into my mouth.

It was one of those simple but glorious eating-moments, when you’re so grateful to have taste buds on your tongue because they start doing a happy dance.

But then after I finished, I suddenly got a craving for something sweet. Like a dessert of some kind.

So I decided to eat one of my own favorite food customs.

This…

Have a deeelicious weekend everyone!

X

P.S. I will be working a lot of hours today and tomorrow, therefore I will be slower in responding to comments and visiting your blogs. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding....x

60 comments

Dear Ron, I have mustard with everything! Have you tried it with fish? I can't comment on the pretzels since I don't even know what they are!! As for chips, okay French fries, and tartar sauce, yes I do like that. When I have fish and chips it's an absolute must to smother the lot with tartar sauce. Gosh, I feel really hungry now.

I love mustard and have actually been on a whole grain mustard kick lately. But I haven't had mustard with pretzels because you just can't get those big soft pretzels around here, unless you go to Auntie Anne's at the mall. And then I like the cinnamon sugar raisin ones!

Ron, I'm giggling at this because I'm originally from New York, and when I moved to Florida I had the same reaction to mustard on a pretzel. I thought that everyone ate a pretzel with mustard. Also, the big thing I noticed when I moved to Florida was that the baked bread and bagels were different, until I realized it was because of the water. There is nothing quite like NY bagels/bread.

By the way, I like to dip my French fries into tartar sauce too. They’re delicious that way. I had an old boyfriend who introduced me to that. I also like vinegar on my fries sometimes.

Hmm this is something I have never heard of. But I have to say it doesn't sound awful. I am not a huge condiment fan but I have definitely dabbled with my strange eating habits. At my work we have something called roundabouts (basically circle tatar tots) and everyone who works with me dips them in ranch dressing. I never eat dressing, not even on my salad. But after years of resistance I tried it. And you know what? I love it! I even recommend it to customers. I guess some things that seem weird are really just waiting to be tried.

Well, I'm not a huge fan of big ole pretzels, Ron, but I suspect dunking them in mustard would be a major improvement!You're right, different parts of the world have different food preferences. Golly, even different parts of the USA exhibit that. I've seen people drown their eggs with catchup, for instance, or dunk their pizza into French dressing. That's what makes our world so interesting, the opportunity to learn from one another.As for the sardine(?) atop the ice cream cone, hmm -- might you be pregnant, hee hee??Thanks for a chuckle, and have a wonderful weekend!

Nothing odd about that to me. I love mustard on my pretzels! My ex preferred dipping them in cream cheese, which wasn't bad, either. But the best pretzels are those that are hot out of the oven, lightly coated in salt and butter, and eaten straight up. Mmm.

Mustard on pretzels? I'll have to try that because I love mustard. Isn't that funny how we have regional traditions? I was out and about the other day so I stopped at Subway. Well they had a new Philly cheesesteak sub so I ordered one. LOVE me a Philly cheesesteak!Get this, they said to me "What do you want on it?" I said, "It's a Philly cheesesteak, what do you think I want on it??" He replied, "Ma'am, I have no idea." DOH!!Have a great weekend!

French fries + mayonnaise is a glorious thing. Even better: magical concoction of mayo, ketchup, horseradish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of teriyaki all mixed together. It is the perfect condiment for absolutely everything.

Philly is the only place to get pretzels. I feel like other pretzels just don't taste right.

Why don't you have a Like button? Then I can use it when I came, I saw but didn't have a comment. I'm not familiar with these kinds of pretzels maybe they are rare in Canada. I have seen them on TV but often wondered why people would put mustard on a pretzel.

i also like tarter sauce with my onion rings and french fries. i don't mind the mayo on both, but usually dip it in mayo if some has fallen off a burger or something. honey mustard sauce is good too for dipping. almost any sauce. mmmmmm.

No, I haven't because I don't eat seafood. But I HAVE heard of people doing that and they say it's YUMMY!

Pretzels are basically a DOUGH product, shaped like the graphic in my first photo. They're baked until the outside is crispy and the inside is soft and warm. And they're usually sprinkled with salt. OMG...I LOVE them!! Especially dipped in mustard.

"When I have fish and chips it's an absolute must to smother the lot with tartar sauce."

Oooo...that's interesting because I've never heard of whole grain mustard before. I'll have to look for that in the grocery store the next time I'm there.

"But I haven't had mustard with pretzels because you just can't get those big soft pretzels around here, unless you go to Auntie Anne's at the mall. And then I like the cinnamon sugar raisin ones!"

Aw...that's a shame because I love a big soft pretzel. Yes, I've had ones at Auntie Anne's as well, and prefer the sweeter ones (like the cinnamon sugar raisin), to the plain ones because they seem a bit too sweet for putting on mustard.

"My mom always put mustard on her scrambled eggs. How wack is that?"

Now that is a first for me. I've used ketchup, but never mustard. I'll have to try that though.

"Hmm this is something I have never heard of. But I have to say it doesn't sound awful."

Oh, you've gotta try it because it's AWESOME tasting. Especially if the pretzel is fresh and warm. YUMMY!

" At my work we have something called roundabouts (basically circle tatar tots) and everyone who works with me dips them in ranch dressing. I never eat dressing, not even on my salad. But after years of resistance I tried it. And you know what? I love it!"

LOVE tatar tots dipped in ranch dressing! I've tried that before as well. I will also sometimes dip potato chips into ranch dressing. I'm not a big dressing fan myself. I prefer plan olive oil on my salads.

"Well, I'm not a huge fan of big ole pretzels, Ron, but I suspect dunking them in mustard would be a major improvement!"

It's funny, I've gotten so used to eating a soft pretzel with mustard, that I can't eat one just plain.

"Golly, even different parts of the USA exhibit that. I've seen people drown their eggs with catchup, for instance, or dunk their pizza into French dressing. That's what makes our world so interesting, the opportunity to learn from one another."

That is sooooooooo true! Even here in the USA we eat food differently. When I lived in Japan and Europe, those were the BIGGEST differences I discovered. But it was fun because what I thought I wouldn't like, I ended up LOVING.

Ooooo....you've GOT to try it because it's AWESOME. Especially now that the weather is getting cooler. It's such a great comfort food.

" LOVE me a Philly cheesesteak!Get this, they said to me "What do you want on it?" I said, "It's a Philly cheesesteak, what do you think I want on it??" He replied, "Ma'am, I have no idea." DOH!!"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! OMG...you're kidding me? They ASKED you that?!? Well, that's because it's Subway, but when you come to Philly for a visit, I will take you to a place that makes authentic Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. You'll DIE!

"They reacted as though I had suggested something so freakishly bizarre like, putting sardines on top of ice cream."

Ron, that was so funny! And even more funny when I saw the photo at the end of this post. You don't REALLY eat that, do you?

I am a pretzel maniac and will dip them into mustard regardless of whether it's a soft pretzel or hard. I love to dip hard pretzels into mustard while drinking a beer. The taste is incredible. I've also tried dipping my fries into tartar sauce or just plan mayo and loved it.

I visited the website you mentioned here and thought it was a blast. Very clever website. Cute!

" And even more funny when I saw the photo at the end of this post. You don't REALLY eat that, do you?"

Oh god, noooooooooooooooo! I just couldn't think of anything else to say that would sound MORE freakishly bizarre then that - HA!

"I love to dip hard pretzels into mustard while drinking a beer. The taste is incredible."

I do the same thing, I kid you not! However, I don't eat them with a beer because I'm not beer drinker, but I LOVE to dip hard pretzels into mustard as well as soft. In fact, I haven't done it in a while, but when I was a kid I would. I'll even dip thin pretzels in mustard.

"I visited the website you mentioned here and thought it was a blast. Very clever website. Cute!"

Isn't the website faaaaabulous? Last night, I played on it and had so much fun with my cursor. It's BEYOND cute!

Huh. I can't say I've dipped a pretzel in anything. But I'm not a huge mustard fan. I did, however, become a fan of fish and chips with vinegar after a visit to England. My favorite unusual carb combo, though, is cooked potato with sour cream and caviar. Yum!

Ron, I LOVE pretzels & mustard (or with melted cheese). Soft, warm pretzels are just awesome! And I've been eating french fries with mayo for years. A friend of mine was eating them that way & I have been ever since. But it has to mayo that I use for anything, NOT miracle whip or salad dressing. My sister & hubby argue with me all the time on that...lol.

Not s problem for me, I eat mustard on practically everything. And "frittesauce" as it's called, comes from Belgium originally. Don't think much of American mustard, hasn't got the bite of English. You think sardines on ice cream is odd? You obviously haven't heard of Heston Blumenthal, he's a chef who makes weird recipes. Check him outonlineSnail I'vice cream anyone? (I'm not kidding)Bon appetite.

As good as it looks...I just cannot eat mustard on pretzels! I seriously should live in Philly as I exist on carbs! Yeah....I know.....don't start! 😀😀😀. And the sardines thing doesn't do it for me either...you lived in Holland? You never cease to amaze me!! I love it! Have a fab weekend and don't work too hard! Xo

*laughing* You're talking to the woman who puts food in compartments so they don't touch. I still proclaim I'm not a picky eater--however, I heard myself tell himself just the other night "I don't eat that colour".

I don't eat that COLOUR?!?! k......MIGHT be a tad fussy. LOL

Dunno about mustard on fresh pretzels--but I DO know they're awesome with conqueso cheese sauce. (allowed, they can touch!)Mustard I don't even put on hotdogs/hamburgers. I think we use it when we make potato salad--darn bottle probably expired two years ago.....that's how often we use mustard! (I'll suggest he-who-worries-we'll-be-poisoned to check the expiration date on that one.)And since I live with he-who-lives-to-eat I've seen a whole lot of concoctions that I thought shouldn't happen. Some I've given a try (mayo/french fries, vinegar/french fries, etc....) Some I've refused because I simply couldn't muster up the courage. LOLI cringe when the man mixes corn with his mashed potatoes...... And gravy over EVERYthing is just sick and wrong.Sharing space with he-who-lives-to-eat has been a lesson in diversity, that's to be sure. There's been good and yuck at the same time.Blood pudding? NFW.....OMG........But cream on your apple crisp--Yummmmm!

Seriously--I never knew using that whipping cream you can buy in the wee cartons was an option if you didn't whip it! LOLOL Try that one on for size. OMG it's wonderful! Even with cut up fresh fruit.Okay.........NOW I'm hungry.

"I still proclaim I'm not a picky eater--however, I heard myself tell himself just the other night "I don't eat that colour".

I don't eat that COLOUR?!?! k......MIGHT be a tad fussy. LOL"

Bwhahahahhahaha! Mel, you CRACK ME UP!

I AM a picky eater, so I hear ya! And it's so funny because I come from a family who likes to eat LOTS of different type foods, but I think I took after my father because he enjoyed eating things plain and simple - not a lot of spices.

" (I'll suggest he-who-worries-we'll-be-poisoned to check the expiration date on that one.)"

Bwhahahahhhahaha! Mel, you're making LAUGH this morning!!

"I cringe when the man mixes corn with his mashed potatoes...... And gravy over EVERYthing is just sick and wrong."

OMG, isn't it something how people eat their food differently?

Okay, and i just Googled "Blood Pudding" because I had no idea what that was. OMG...NFW!!!! Ewwwwwwwww!

"Seriously--I never knew using that whipping cream you can buy in the wee cartons was an option if you didn't whip it! LOLOL Try that one on for size. OMG it's wonderful! Even with cut up fresh fruit."

I had a blog at one time on Wordpress, but switched back to Blogger because the main feature that I like about Blogger is the total freedom I have to customize my blog design without having to pay for it. I not only enjoy writing, but I also enjoy learning about web design, so Blogger has enabled me to learn so many things about that by fiddling around with HTML and CSS coding. Yes, I could also do that on WP but would have to either pay for that or do a self-hosting, which I'm not ready to do yet.

Also, I run sponsorship and affiliate programs on this blog, and Blogger allows me to do that.

I like both Wordpress and Blogger platforms for different reason because they each have strong pros.

HA! It's funny, Cheryl, because I'm not a huge, huge fan of Philly (even though I was born here), but I have to say that the FOOD here is AWESOME. Also, the architecture here is just stunning. It's that old architecture that I love - so rich in HISTORY and BEAUTY.

But I have to say, I LOVE were you live. I've never been there, but am very drawn to that part of the east coast. There is something so beautifully raw and natural about it. I really do need to visit there some day.

The best things about Portsmouth is that it's a small city with the feel of a town, has terrific food (that's not a draw for me but it is for most), rich with history and historic architecture, surrounded by small towns, an easy 10 minute drive to the ocean, and it's an hour's drive to 3 fully functioning airports, the Lakes Region, and the gateway to the White Mountains. It's also only an hour away from Boston, Manchester, and Portland where there's a higher likelihood of a major band, art exhibit, or other cultural event stopping along its tour.

Ron,I love your view of the world! You make me laugh,you make me cry,but your are always so "Down to earth". Everyone understands what you are trying to say! You have a great gift! Thanks for the comments on Peggy's Dad! You made her day. For that alone,you will always be special to me! You made Peggy feel better! Dwight

What's awesome is that you get your own side container of mustard. That's really thinking things out!

I get the same odd looks when I ask for a side of mayo when I order broccoli at a restaurant. Broccoli, when eaten with mayo, tastes amazingly like artichokes, which in my opinion, is the best food ever created. Don't knock it 'till you try it!

Alrighttta Ron! You know, I'm not a fan of pretzels of any kind but the way you've presented them here, they look and sound yummy. Maybe it was the mustard missing before?Don't work TOO hard ok! Happy Weekend, G :<)www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com www.myreallifereviews.com

I'm actually not from Philly. I'm an upstate New Yorker. But everybody else in my family is Philly/South NJ. My parents and brothers were all born in Philly and I am the lone one in my immediate family to be born up here.

But I figure I'm related well enough. And I get down there a couple of times a year. Usually at least once for a Phillies game. :)

I used to live in NYC (for 5 years) and loved it. In fact, NYC is my favorite city on the east coast and want to move back one of these days. I visit the city at least once or twice a month. Greatest city in the world! And New Yorker's are the BEST!

WOW, Cheryl, that sounds like a perfect spot to live because it's the best of both worlds - a feeling of a small town yet, close enough to Boston to drive there if you're in the mood for a bigger city-feel.

Welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my blog and sharing a comment! So nice to meet you!

OMG...you're from Philly too?!?!

I moved away for 20 years, and then moved back in 2001. I missed the north east.

" I've grown up with this custom. And I can't think of any other way. I think it's expanded though, as I have friends not from Philly who do it, too."

Yes, you're right...it IS expanding!

"That brought me back to the days of visiting my grandmother and family in Philly and running to the corner each day to get pretzels. Back then it was like 4 or 5 for a buck or two. So awesome. What a way to start the day."

Yup...you said it!

"I was once told it was a Belgian thing, then it spread. No idea where it started, but I love it."

I think you're right because while in Amsterdam, I went to Belgium and they too did that.

OK, seriously, awesome post. My whole family (I'm the only one note born there) is from Philly. I've grown up with this custom. And I can't think of any other way. I think it's expanded though, as I have friends not from Philly who do it, too. This past weekend, I was in the Scranton area and stopped at a Philly Soft Pretzel Company store and got some regular-sized pretzels. With mustard, of course. 10 for $5.

That brought me back to the days of visiting my grandmother and family in Philly and running to the corner each day to get pretzels. Back then it was like 4 or 5 for a buck or two. So awesome. What a way to start the day.

Eventually, cheese steaks were on the menu, too.

As for the mayo and fries, I've done that, too, for as long as I can remember. I was once told it was a Belgian thing, then it spread. No idea where it started, but I love it.